Work Less, Live More

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

I called in sick today. I am sick, and I've been sick for about 3 weeks now. I was have basically been sick off and on since mid February. I have been working a full 40 hour job and another evening job since Jan. 31st. Tuesdays and Thursday I work 8 in the morning until 8 in the evening (MWF it's 8-4:30). It is a doable schedule, but I think it's been wearing me down and lowering my immune system. I find I eat more on those days. I finally quit the second job yesterday. I figured it's time to start taking better care of myself. From April 2008 until April of 2010, I lost 167 pounds. From April 2010 until today, I gained 28 pounds. I went from being 23 pounds away from goal, to being 50 pounds away from my goal. That is not the direction that I want to keep moving in. Now I am not going to beat myself up over it. I had an unemployed husband for a good 7 months of 2010, and my work hours have been way more than I worked before. I did a lot of things that I had to do. I have grown in many ways this year. I have been under a lot of stress this last year. It has been a difficult year for several reasons, but it hasn't been all bad. I do feel like I am a stronger person emotionally these days. Now I realize it's time to start taking better care of my body again. I will be gaining 7 hours of free time soon, and I plan to put those hours towards good stuff like exercise, family time, and even a few more hours of sleep. Hopefully, my immune system will thank me for this.

I am going to be turning 40 in December. There are a few things I want to do before 40. I am hoping to reach that goal weight in the next 9 months or be within 10 pounds of it. I am planning to run my first marathon in October. I have never been to Europe, and I am planning a trip to Paris in August with a good friend. I want to look cute when I am there, so I'd like to lose that weight I gained this year by August. Hopefully, I can pull it all back together, and get myself back in shape and on the right path again. I have felt better in the last few years, then I did in my 20's and early 30's, when I weight 300 plus pounds. I am hoping to enjoy my 40's, and to live my life to the fullest. I want to be a happy and healthy and well rested 40 year old. I want to work less and live more.

LITTLESPARKLER
Yay for Paris!!! One of the reasons I want to lose as much as possible before the trip is that when I went to China I was heavy (not even as heavy as now), and I avoided having pics taken of me. And, the ones that I did take look horrible. We need some hot pics of us!!! :)2022 days ago

so sorry you're sick... but so glad you're doing some things to take care of yourself! and forty?? it aint nothin (will you tell me this when I turn 50 next year?? LOL).. seriously.. I wouldn' t go back to my 20 or 30s for anything... I like where I'm at mentally.. and Paris?? TOO MUCH FUN! I'm going to Scotland in June with friends from college 30 years ago!

so glad to read about what's going on... I saw it in my email and went YEAH GEE-NEEEEEEEs back!Annie2081 days ago

LIGHTLOVEJOY
Good for you, Jeannie! It's got to feel like a huge relief to know that there's light at the end of the tunnel and that soon you can start focusing on YOU again. I know you've been through a LOT in the past year, but your strength and perseverance have carried you through. I don't have to tell you that you can do this- you already know that. I'll just be here cheering you on as you go!